[PART I.] [[No break in the MS.]]
¶ In Surrye whilom dwelt a companye
Of Chapmen riche and þer-to sad and trewe
That wyde where sente here spicerie
Cloþes of gold and Satyn riche of hewe
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here chaffare was so thrifty and so newe
That euery wight haþ deynte to chaffare
With hem and eek to sellen hem here ware
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¶ Now fil it þat þe maistres of þat sort
han schapen hem to Rome for to wende
Were it fo chapmanhode or for disport
Non oþer message wolde þey þider sende
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But comen hemself to Rome þis is þe ende
And in swich place as þought hem auantage
ffor here entente þei take here herbergage
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Soiorned han þise marchantez in þat toun [folio 76a]
A certein tyme as felle to hire plesance
But so felle þat þe excellent renoun
Of þe Emperour doughter dame Custance
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Reported was with euery circumstance
vnto þise Surrien marchantz in swich wise
ffro day to day as I schal you deuyse/
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¶ This was þe comone voys of euery man
Oure emperour of Rome god him see
A doughter he haþ þat syn þe world bigan
To rekne as wel hir goodnesse as beaute
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Nas neuer such anoþer as is sche
I pray to god in honour hir sustene
And wolde sche were of alle Europe þe queene
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